Christina Gordon Public School Inclusive Playground (Councillor K. Balsom)

Councillor K. Balsom presented the following recommendation for consideration:

THAT Administration be directed to work with the Fort McMurray Public School District and the Christina Gordon Public School to determine the budget shortfall funding amount for the capital enhancements to the playground for sensory friendly playground structures; and should a funding shortfall amount be identified, that up to $60,000 from the Emerging Issues Reserve be allocated to the Christina Gordon Public School for completion of their inclusive playground project in 2021

Karla Power, Chairperson, Inclusion Advisory Committee, Christina Gordon Public School, spoke in favour of the recommendation.

Councillor M. Allen proposed a friendly amendment to add at the end “and that Administration investigate and apply for funding support from the Provincial Government for this initiative”. Councillor K. Balsom accepted the friendly amendment.

Administration committed to work with the Christina Gordon Public School Inclusion Advisory Committee regarding the capital enhancements to the playground and to investigate and apply for any available grant funding for the project.

Action item

It was requested that Administration review the current procedures for accessing wheelchair swings in the community as well as determine how many playgrounds can be made inclusive throughout the entire region.

Councillor S. Lalonde proposed a second friendly amendment to change the completion date from “2021” to “2022”. Councillor K. Balsom accepted this friendly amendment.

Councillor V. Murphy proposed a further friendly amendment to remove reference to the completion date in its entirety. Councillor K. Balsom accepted this further friendly amendment.